For the Temple Owls, the game started off really bad with the 23rd ranked SMU Mustangs getting out to a quick 13-4 first half lead. That did not stop the Owls as they kept on fighting and pushing, which led them to a 71-64 victory. It also gave the Owls their first victory over a ranked opponent this season.
Temple would get their offense jump started on Sunday with the three point shot. The Owls shot 33 .3 percent from three point range and that was good enough to get them the victory. Dalton Pepper would lead the Owls in scoring on Sunday with 24 points in 38 minutes of game action. He hit a couple of deep threes and kept the offense in rhythm to give Temple a lift in scoring.
Also joining him in the double figure scoring department would be forward Mark Williams, who scored 10 points but also grabbed seven rebounds. Quenton DeCosey, who was all over the floor on Sunday with a stat line of 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
Finally, Will Cummings who was on triple-double alert finished the game with 13 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
For Larry Brown’s SMU Mustangs, they shot nearly 50 percent from the field but shot 53 percent from the free throw line. If you do not make your free throws, you will lose close games like this and that’s what happened. SMU missed 12 free throws during the course of the game. Forward Markus Kennedy was the leading scorer for SMU putting up 18 points and five rebounds in Sunday’s loss.
For SMU, this loss will most likely put them out of the AP Top 25 but it was a good run while it lasted. For Temple, it was a great win for a very tumultuous season but it was also Hooter the Owl’s birthday so a great day all around.
Temple looks to carry this victory into their next game versus the 24th ranked UConn Huskies on Thursday. That game will be at the Liacouras Center. For Temple they will have revenge on their mind as earlier in the season, UConn blew them out 90-66.
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